San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-06

\ bright flush came to the comedy
face.
But we were sweethearts," she said;
and Ruth, why Ruth is not eighteen
yet"
But she is the prettiest girl in the
country side" said the farmer. II know
no one like her. and she is the best too.
If Laurence Rainton has had the sense
to fix his heart on her, shall not only
be willing, but well pleased; he could
not do better, and he would be a good
match for any girl. He is the only son,
and the Rainton's have owned the Dale
Farm for many years. She would be
well off, if she married Laurence"
ut seems only yesterday that she was
learning to walk" sighed his wife.
my dear Catherine, you were not
eighteen when / first met you by the
mill stream, and neither of us thought
of youth"
1T seems different with ones chill
dren," she said. half sadly.
II do not say there is anything in 1t, /"
continued the farmer, land | am not at
all anxious for anything of the kind,
but Yesterday he was here three times,
the day before he called twice, and he
came again early this morning about
some speckled eggs. Now, speckled
eggs are all very well, but it is rather
too much of good thing, is it not?"
But Mrs. Vaughan was rather re-
ticent, and would say no more, fine,
matronly blush burned her face; her
daughters love affairs would evidently
be more serious to her than her own had
been.
The story of James Vaughan and
Catherine his wife resembled that OF
many hundreds of farmers, since the
sun refused to shine at the right time or
the ground to yield good crops. He was
a fine, handsome young fellow OF twen--
ty-one when he first took possession OF
Larch Hill Farm; he had a small for
tune, and he invested the whole OF 1t on
the farm. He bought model machinery;
he did the best for the ground; he built
new sheds. He spared no expense, no
time, no trouble; he read all that was
written on agriculture; he took in the
Journals that treated of farming and
cattle: he studied the art as lawyers
study law or doctors medicine, and he
was successful so long as the sun shone
and the rain clouds were merciful. Dur
ing this time he wooed and married the
miller's pretty daughter, Catherine
Blythe, charming, blooming girl OF
eighteen.
Their wooing had not been of the
smoothest. Catherine was pretty, and
had MANY lovers; she could have mar
ried the rich old miller, who lived at the
white house on the river, and who was
reported to have thousands in the bank;
she could have married gay young
contractor who had the chief command
of all the markets round; she could have
married a prosperous draper who lived
at Aspendale: but the miller's daughter
had given her heart to James Vaughan,
and she would not hear of anyone else;
so that their wooing was not all smooth,
for GATHERINGS parents were ambitious.
The young farmer used to meet his fair
young love down by the mill stream I'M
til all difficulties were removed, then
he married her. They had but one child,
Ruth, and for some years they lived
happily enough, then came the reverse
Of the medal. BY dint of industry and
perseverance the farmer had saved two
thousand pounds. but then the bad times
began: the sun would not shine, the
grain would not ripen, the cattle would
die of disease. the fruit would fall from
the trees. Misfortune seemed to pursue
him. He had paid his way, it was true,
but he lad spent all his hard-earned
money. and now the time was drawing
near when he would have to go into
debt for his household expenses or-go
without the neCessarieS of life.
His wife's suggestion seemed TO meet
the difficulty. If they could meet with
a ledger who could afford to pay them
pretty literally it would save them from
great distress.
The advertisement was drawn up in
- =, nrNft n
the Times" 1t was the farmer him.
self who decided that it should go to the
"Times."
"The richest people in England take
the Times" he said. So it was sent.
For the first few days it remained I'M
answered. On the fifth day of its ap-
pearance came letter saying that the
writer had been i'll with nervous fever
brought on by overwork, and the doctors
had recommended him to spend some
time in the country, and it was thought
that farmhouse would be most bene-
fetal.
Terms were no object; quiet and
cleanliness being the two things most
needed. The letter was signed-"Eric
st. john" and Ruth, who had read the
letter to her mother, puzzled over the
name. Erie" she had not heard or
seen it before. Eric st. John" She
repeated it once or twice while her
mother pondered over the answer.
Il think" said Mrs. Vaughan, at
last, "that we may ask five pounds
week; we shall have plenty of trouble
with him if he is an invalid"
1T is great deal of money" said the
daughter, gently.
Your father needs it all, my dear,
and if the gentleman can pay it there is
no harm in asking for it. We can try;
if he objects we can lower the terms"
But Mr.. st. John did not object, he
seemed perfectly satisfied. He wrote
to engage the rooms for two months,
and Mrs. Vaughan showed her husband
the letter with triumph"
THAT will be forty pounds, James,"
she cried, "and if we are careful that
will be great help to u.s."
But they had better have lost farm,
and lands, and house. They had better
have died from hunger than have writ
ten the letter that brought Eric st. John
to the house.